Hat-brim-curung machine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

No Model.)

J. AGAR. HAT'BRIM 'OURLING MACHINE.

Patented May 10 1898.

j a?!" t IHIIIIIIllllllfilllllllllillllllllllllilmlf mflh vllllilll"llllllllllllllllllllllll mam aw.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet '2.

J. AGAR. HAT BRIM GURLING MACHINE.

No. 603,719 Patented May 10, 1898.

llllll I v 1. IIIHIHIEW IIIIIIIHHIIIIIIW "i"' 1mm WITNESSES: v mvmom mmI am; a

' BY Q EQATTY'S.

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN AGAR', OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

HAT -BRIM-CURLI NG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,'719, dated May 10,1898.

Application filed April 20, 1895. Serial No. 546,467. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN AGAR, a citizen of the United States, residingat East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Brim-OurlingMachines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the operation of curlinghat-brims, to attain more perfect and satisfactory results, and

to secure other advantages hereinafter referred to. i

The invention consists in the improved machine and in the arrangementand combination of the parts thereof, as hereinafter set forth, andfinally pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters ofreference designate corresponding parts in each of the figures wherethey occur, Figure 1 represents in side elevation a hat-brim-curlingmachine embodying my improvement; Fig. 2, a top plan view of the same.Fig.3 represents in section a certain flanged wheel, gear, and shaft,

the latter being in elevation and exhibiting a modified form of the saidwheel and gear. Fig. 4. represents in perspective a certain curler shownin plan in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents in perspective a certain guide,also shown in plan in said Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailelevation showing the relations of the parts which act immediately uponthe hat-brim to curl the same more clearly and Fig. 7 is a section takenat line so.

In said drawings, A designates a frame or housing in and upon which theworking parts of the machine are mounted, said housing being supportedand fastened upon a suitable table or support B. O designates a shaftjournaled in said housing and upon which is rigidly mounted a wheel D,the periphery of which is provided with a curved flange a. Said wheelmay be solid or provided with a central chamber 1), as indicated in Fig.3. Upon the top of the flanged wheel D is secured a gear I), the objectof which will be described farther on.

. E designates a presser-whee], the periphery of which is convex andserrated, mounted and rotating upon a shaft 0, arranged vertically andpivotallyin a portion of the housing or frame, said shaft being providedwith a slot 01 to admit of a limited vertical movement. There is alsosecured upon the top of the said wheel E a gear 6, which when themachine is I in operation meshes with the gear 5'. Around said verticalshaft 0 is arranged a coiled spring f, which engages with a stop-pin fin said shaft and with the bearing in which said shaft is mounted, thenormal tendency of said spring being to hold the wheel E up, so that itsupper and convex peripheral portions bear against theflanged peripheryof the wheel D. This stop-pin is so arranged that the tension of thespring may be increased or diminished by turning the latter one way orthe other around said shaft, as will be understood upon reference toFig. 1. To the top of said shaft is connected a rod 9, which passes fromthence loosely through a portion h of the frame or housing and the endthereof connecting with a cord 1', which passes over a pulley j, andthence to a foot-treadle (not shown) upon the floor, by means of whichthe wheel E may be thrown outward away from the flanged wheel, or thepressure of the former against the latter be regulated, as will beunderstood. Coiled around said rod 9 is also a spring 5, one end ofwhich abuts against said vertical shaft and the other against theportion of the housing or other suitable stop, the purpose of which isto hold the wheel E normally toward and into engagement with the flangedwheel or, rather, the hat-brim while the curl thereof is being formed,as will be plainly understood upon reference to Fig. 1. In order to heatand keep said flange-wheel heated properly, I have arranged a jet is,which may be connected with any suitable source of supply, whereby aflame may be thrown against the periphery of said wheel, as will beunderstood by reference to said Fig. 1, or

into a central chamber formed therein, as will be understood uponreference to Fig. 3.

At the lower end of the shaft upon which the flanged wheel is mounted isarranged a gear Z, which is secured upon said shaft by means of a screwpassing through the hub' thereof or in any suitable manner. Said gearmeshes with a driving-gear 0, mounted upon a shaft 19, which is drivenby means of a pulley m, secured upon said shaft by means of a cord orbelt at, which connects with a powerwheel, (not shown,) as will beunderstood upon reference to Fig. 1.

In order to facilitate and perfect the curling of the hat-brim, I haveprovided in connection with the concavously-flanged wheel D convexedsmaller wheel E, means for rotating the same and holding them in curlingrelation to the brim with a yielding pressure, a guide P, which is adjustably secured upon a small tablet O of the frame A, which tablet liesin a plane near to and closely parallel with the plane of thehat-support, so that the hatbrim resting on said support and afterpassing between the wheels DE will enter the curved passage p of saidguide. The inner turned end of said adjustable guide lies closelyadjacent to the convex periphery of said wheel E and enters beneath theflange a, the parts being disposed so that the extremity of the returnedend p will lie on a level with the flange a, the concavity 19 willcorrespond with the concavity underneath said flange, and the edge 11'will lie close to the body of the wheel D at the periphery, so thatthere will be a continuous bearing extending from the periphery of thewheel D over the guide P, against which the felt may be pressed as ittravels forward. The wheel E lies opposite the joint formed at edge 19and presses the felt on both parts, as will be understood upon referenceto Figs. 6 and 7, and thus a more extended ironing or curling surface issecured than if the two convexities of the wheel-peripheries alone wereemployed. It may be noted that the wheel E presses upward against boththe flange a and returned portion 19, curling the brim, so that there isa larger compression surface horizontally between the parts E, D, and Pas wellas vertically. The guide may be adjusted by means of the slot 1'and fastener t therein, as occasion may require. The hat-brim when actedupon by the parts thus described is given a curl which is suflicient andsatisfactory in certain grades of work; but in other and finer varietiesand to obtain a more perfect and uniform curl and to increase thecurvature without producing kinks, creases, or the like I'ordinarily andpreferably employ an additionalpart g, which I have termed a curler.This also is secured upon the tablet O and consists of a bed-plate q,having a longitudinally-curved and'forwardly-bent flange g, by which aconcavity q, corresponding with the concavity p, is formed. At itsupperedge said curved and bent flange q is provided with a verticalsupplemental flange or flanges q, which forms a seat or seats upon whicha longitudinally-curved and downwardly, inwardly, and then upwardly bentplate or piece q is secured by fastening-screws u. The chamber q',formed by the parts q q is, when viewed endwise, of helical shape, asshown in Figs. 4 and 6, and contracts as it extends away from the wheelsD E, as will be understood upon reference to Fig. 6.

The curled brim on entering the part q is of a simple C shape, due tothe operation of the wheels D E and guide P, but immediately inpassingthrough said curler the upper edge of said brim is given a downward turnand then an upward turn, the felt being curled over itself and the curlbeing gradually made tighter orsmaller while yet hot, so that allcreases or kinks are removed. When the felt passes from out the curler,the resiliency of the felt occasions an opening up of the curl to someextent; but the effect of giving a helical roll to the felt, asindicated, is beneficial, in that it produces a peculiar smoothness andfinish of particular value.

The tapering chamber in the curler may be made larger or smaller bymanipulating the fastening-screws u and employing washers between theparts q q".

It will be observed that the curler is curved longitudinally to conformto the curvature of the brim. The serration of the convex periphery ofthe wheel E is to increase its grip upon the felt and enable it to forcethe same forward into the curler without slipping, so that the work ofcurling maybe more perfectly automatic.

In operation the hat-brim is inserted between the wheels E D andadjusted within the guide P and curler q. Upon setting the machinery inoperation the brim is fed automatically forward by the action of thewheels upon the felt. Said wheels also give an initial turn to the feltas the latter passes therebetween, and the heated wheel imparts thenecessary heat to said felt, so that the operation is rendered moreeffective and the shape retained. From the wheels the felt passesimmediately upon the C-shaped surfaces of the guide P. Here the shapingoperation is continued. The small convex wheel E presses the feltagainst both the flange of the wheel D and the upper and lower sides ofthe C-shaped portion of the guide, so that the felt is given acomparatively smooth and even C-shaped bend.

While the greater pressure and working is brought to bear upon upperinwardly-extending portion of the curled felt, the lower curved portionof the guide lying oppositethe flange a, cooperating with the convexwheel, produces enough pressure to secure the desired result'efiectively. Passing from the guide P the felt, having the C-shapedcurve, passes into the curler q, where the felt is increased incurvature and given downward and inward bends at its edges. As ittravels through the curler the curl is gradually tightened or madesmaller in diameter, and thus, after the felt issues therefrom and tendsto assume its original shape because of the resiliency of the felt, itwill yet retain an increased curl IIO and a curl that is more perfectand free from defects, so that the machine can be used effectively andwith satisfaction upon a higher class of work.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is i 1. In ahat-brim-curling machine, the combination with the frame or housing, ofa shaft journaled vertically therein; a flanged wheel rigidly mountedupon said shaft, agear-wheel rigidly connected with said flanged wheel,a vertically and laterally movable shaft mounted in the housing, a wheelE, having'a convex periphery mounted upon the lower end of said shaft, agear-wheel secured to said wheel E, meshing with the gear of saidflangewheel, means for rotating said flange-wheel and means foroperating said shaft vertically and laterally as described, and for thepur: poses set forth.

2. In a hat-brim-curling machine, the combination with the frame orhousing thereof, of a shaft jonrnaled vertically therein; a flangedwheel rigidly mounted upon said shaft; a gear-wheel rigidly connectedwith said flanged wheel; a slotted shaft vertically mounted in thehousing, a pin in the housing through the slot whereby the shaft iscapable of a vertical and lateral movement; a wheel E, having a convexand serrated periphery mounted upon the lower end of said shaft; agear-Wheel secured to said wheel E, meshing with the gear of saidflanged wheel and means for operating said shaft vertically andlaterally as described and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a hat-brim-curling machine, the combination with the flanged wheeland the wheel having a convex periphery of an adjustable guide P,arranged beneath the flange of said flanged wheel, and having a concavedway or passage p, corresponding with the concavity on the periphery ofthe said flanged wheel, the wheel having the said convex periphery beingarranged to press the felt against both said guide and flanged wheel,and means for operating said wheels, substantially as set forth.

4. In a hat-brim-curling machine, the combination with the flanged wheeland the wheel having a convex periphery and means for operating saidwheels, of a guide to operate in conjunction with said wheels to receivethe curled hat-brim and to fix the curve thereof, a curler supplementalto said flanged and curved wheels to receive the hat-brim as it passesthrough said guide and to increase and perfect said curve therein andmeans for adjusting said guide and curler relative to each other and tothe wheels as described, and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a hat-brim-curling machine, the combination, with the flangedwheel and the wheel having a convex periphery and means for operatingsaid wheels, of a two-part curler q, having a curved passage-way throughwhich the felt is forced by the wheels and screws for holding said partstogether, whereby the parts may be separated to a greater or less extentfor adjusting the size of the passageway, as described and for thepurposes set forth.

6. In a hat-brim-curling machine, the combination,with the frameprovided with a housin g, of a vertically and laterally movable shaftmounted in the housing, the lower end of which is provided with a wheelhaving a convex periphery and the intermediate portion of which isprovided with a pin, a coiled spring upon the shaft, one end of whichengages with the housing, and a portion of the remainder of the springengages with the pin, whereby the rotation of the spring around theshaft changes the tension of the spring and mechanism cooperating withsaid wheel to curl the brim and means for operating said parts asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a hat-brim-curling machine, the combination, with a frame,provided with a housing and a perforated portion, of a grooved wheelmounted in the frame, a'shaft pivotally secured in the housing, thelower end of which is provided with a convex Wheel, means for operatingsaid wheels, a rod extending from the upper end of the shaft through theperforated portion of the frame, a spring between the end of the shaftand the perforated portion, and a cord for moving the rod, as describedand for the purposes set forth.

8. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with the flanged and convexwheels and means for operating and heating the same, of a curler q,adapted to receive the partlycurled felt after it leaves the saidwheels,

said curler comprising an upwardly-curved part q, and a downwardly-bentpart extending from the upper part of said part q, whereby the bent brimis given a downward bend at its edge, substantially as set forth.

9. In ahat-curling machine, the combination with the flanged and convexwheels, and means for operating and heating the same, of a curler, q,arranged adjacent to said wheel and adapted to receive the partly-curledhatbrim after leaving said wheels, said curler comprising anupwardly-bent part q, and a downwardly and inwardly bent part q, wherebythe partly-curled brim is given a downward and inward bend approaching aspiral shape at its edge, after leaving said wheels, substantially asset forth.

10. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with the flanged andconvex wheels, and means for operating and heating the same, of a curlerq, arranged adjacent to said wheels and adapted to receive thepartly-curled hatbrim after leaving said wheels, said curler comprisingan upwardly-bent part q, and a downwardly, inwardly and upwardly turnedpart or extension g adapted to give to the partly-curled edge of thebrim, a spiral twist wheels, substantially as set forth.

ICC

ceive the partly-curled brim after it passes from the said wheels andgradually increase and tighten the curl, substantially as set forth.

13. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with the curling parts D,E, consisting of concave and convex members adapted to give a partialcurl to the brim, and means for heating the same, and moving the felttherebetween, of a curler q, curved and tapering in plan, and spiral inend view, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with theconcavously-fianged wheel,.and means for operating the same, the rotaryshaft having the convex wheel, means for forcing the said convex wheeltoward the flanged wheel with a yielding pressure of a guide fixedadjacent to said flanged wheel, the convex wheel operating between saidfixed guide and flanged wheel, substantially as set forth.

15. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with theconcavously-flanged wheel, and means for operating the same, the rotaryconvex wheel and means for operating the same, heating means and meansfor forcing said convex wheel toward said flanged wheel, of a guidehaving a C-shaped part extending close to said flanged wheel, andpresenting its concave surface to the convex wheel which supplementssaid flanged wheel in resisting the pressure of said convex wheel incurling the brim, substantially as set forth.

16. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with theconoavously-flanged wheel, and means for operating the same, the rotaryconvex wheel, and means for operating the same and heating means, of afixed guide having a C shaped part extending underneath the flange ofsaid flanged wheel into close relation to said flanged wheel, the convexwheel lying opposite the joint between said parts to press the feltagainst both parts, substantially as set forth.

17. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with theconcavously-fianged wheel, and means for operating the same, the rotaryconvex wheel, and means for operating the same, and heating means, of aguide having a flaring mouth extending into close adjacency to saidflanged wheel, and supplementing the ironing and curling surfacethereof, the convex wheel lying opposite both said parts and pressingthe felt against the two,substantially as set forth.

18. In a hat-curling machine, the combination with the flanged wheel,andconvex wheel, and means for operating the same and heating means, of aguide extending beneath the flange of the flanged wheel opposite theconvex wheel, and a curler curved and tapering in plan and spiral in endview, and receiving the partially-curled brim, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

19. In a hat-curling machine, the combination, with'aconcavously-fianged wheel, of a convex wheel beneath said flange, afixed guide adjacent to the periphery of the flanged wheel, the convexwheel operating between said fixed guide and the flanged wheel, andoperating devices, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this13th day of April, 1895.

JOHN AGAR. Witnesses:

OLIVER DRAKE, BEATRICE CHARLES.

